14 Apr 2015

Liverpool captain-elect Jordan Henderson had another good game for the Reds last night, and with 13 assists this season - including one against Newcastle last night - the midfielder continues to prove his worth to the team. His new contract still remains unsigned, though, and Reds legend John Aldridge believes that Brendan Rodgers has handled the situation all wrong.

In his column for Sunday World, Aldo questioned the 'wisdom' of Rodgers giving Henderson the captaincy in Gerrard's absence, and insisted that the club should 'never give a player such a high-profile role until he had agreed to sign a new contract'. He added:

"I’d have given the armband to Skrtel and told Henderson that he would only be considered when he committed his future to the club. Instead, Liverpool will be in a weak bargaining position when he sits down to negotiate a new deal this summer. If Henderson doesn’t get the pay rise he wants, don’t be surprised if he leaves".

Aldo is spot-on here: 'fantastic' Henderson's agent will almost certainly use his elevation to captain status as a bargaining tool in contract negotiations, and Liverpool will probably have no choice but to cave-in and give him what he wants.

This is nothing new for Rodgers, though. It's the same situation with Sterling, who is reportedly using Rodgers' ill-advised comments about him being the 'best young player in Europe' as a way to fleece Liverpool out of an obscene pay-rise.

The Daily Mail claims that Henderson - who cost the Reds £20m - wants £100k-a-week before committing his long-term future, and whilst that's a huge amount of money, in this case, I'd rather see the club acquiesce on Henderson than give-in to Sterling's mercenary demands.

Rodgers is an excellent man-manager, but going forward, he seriously needs to look at certain aspects of what he says and does in relation to players, as the way he's handled Sterling and Henderson over the last year has clearly compromised Liverpool's bargaining power in contract negotiations.

72 comments:

Good point ..that is what i am thinking .. we all don't know what they discussed and what points their agents used .. it is all guessing game .. It is not fair to use something we are guessing to put the blame to BR...

I think Rodgers trusted these 2 twats too much. If it weren't for Rodgers, these guys would be nothing. Now they trying to hold us up. Hendo should be lucky he even wears a Red shirt and Sterling's still a snot nose with a lot to do before claiming legendary status.

apparently hendo has agreed a 100million deal? If true, this is great, but we still need a defensive beast and perhaps a more box to box midfielder (arguably Can is our man). But Sergi Samper is an option, I'm all for Alex Song.

You could also say that giving the captaincy to Hendo acts as a test to assess his qualities and suitability for the role before you offer him a renewed contract, and on what basis. He's taken to it well, clearly shouldering more responsibility and growing in influence with every game. Fully deserving of that contract and it seems certain he'll get it, so I don't see a problem with the way things have been done.

Allen has been no better than average. The peno that should have been given was after he missed an easy headed clearance. Even his goal came as a result of the same thing, missed header, defender taken by surprise, goal.

We don't seem to be very good in the off field department, we reportedly offer players low wage contract extensions which they reject because they see other players on the same level as them on more money, which annoys them. This then leaks out in the press that they've rejected a contract extension, which alerts other clubs that they might be available. These other clubs then let it be known that they would pay said players a lot more than Liverpool are offering which, then turns the players head and makes them think about leaving because they don't feel appreciated. We then go from being in a position of strength to having to persuade them that being at Liverpool is the right place to be. I'm not for one second suggesting that we should bow down and pay them ridiculous money because they think they are already world class ( yes Sterling I'm looking at you). But surely we can look at a realistic market value and pay them accordingly.

Aldo Always spot on needless to say I am one of his admirers. In fact Aldo is being economical when it comes to criticism and backlash associated with Brendan Rogers interview. Most times his interviews puts liverpool in a disadvantage situation such as when he grants interview about his method and tactics which Man U in particular capitalised on. Most times he pops up pedestrian comments. For me he not the right one for lfc now or in the future. Average coaches will get somewhere with Lfc just because half of the job is done with the past glory which still get lfc going. Great players are not wont come to liverpool until a world class coach comes around again, and that must come to stay.

Yea, who needs to invest in English players and grass roots football. Its not like we have an international team that we'd one day like to succeed. Let's not also forget that you need a certain number of English players registered.... actually screw that, let's just buy the German national team yea?

Not good enough to be a LFC player game in game out, but has qualities that provide value during certain scenarios.

Does some things brilliantly, but the all-round game just isn't there.

Having said that, I don't half the team is good enough for LFC, but there you go. FSG and Ayre love signing cheap crap (under-developed/over-rated) to supplement the over-priced crap (bit harsh to call Lovren and Lallana crap, but for the money we paid they are).

What Aldo said makes no sense at all as Skrtle's contract is also up for renewal as he had 12 months left at the end of the season as well. Hand it to Henderson so that Sktrle doesnt push for more would be his argument then i suppose.

The Henderson deal is basically sorted anyway, he is going to sign the 100k per week deal as both parties have come to an agreement over last few days.

I think its a travesty when players earn so much money, money that they will see in one month some of us wont even see in a life time... that is sick... so these goddamn players better be ok with taking pay cuts because on the grander scheme of things it's absurd!

surely we can do better than average Joe... i know he scored a relatively lucky goal that got us to the victory...

But look, I've tried to back him, but he never fails to disappoint. he doesnt do the things he's supposed to i.e. keep the ball and giveit to coutinho. he gets too weakly dispossessed, dilly dallies on the ball and passes into pressure situations. He is just not good enough!

Is he good enough? Perhaps not, but how many clubs have a 5th choice midfielder that's his level? Most clubs rely on their upcoming youth at that point, but personally I don't think Rossiter is ready. When he makes the jump, dropping Allen off at a gas station and leaving him there seem's like a good idea. But we have bigger priorities this summer, and we could be a lot worse off than having Allen as an emergency backup.

The way I see it if the above players were to leave it will not have a massive affect on the first team. Obviously the squad depth will be weaker but we only need a few signings plus youngsters to build that back up again. This way we can strengthen the first team and improve the quality of the squad.

So you say to Henderson sorry Jordan you cant have captaincy until you commit to the club so im going to give it Martin despite him also having not yet committed to the club. Ridiculous and makes no sense what so ever, the only thing it would do would be to really annoy Henderson. You cant make up a rule to deny a player captaincy then flaunt that new rule instantly.

What I see is that no other clubs get their contract situations become such a big deal as Liverpool do. Apart from the Walcott incident, none of the other clubs ever have trouble in dealing with these issues. It makes us look amateurish that we cannot even control our own contracted players who are being payed to play for us. We have to improve on this and be firm. In these situations, we are making the players in question looks as irreplaceable. We have to be ruthless and sell the player if they want what we cannot give and if we can, then give it.

BTW, Jaimie - Greg told me something about you banning him and that he made a mistake and will not do it again.He promises to be civil. What exactly happened?

I never really saw the point of signing Manquillo on loan. We would have Janmaat and Flanagan for RB with Wisdom and McLaughlin as cover, hence IMO no need for Manquillo.

My signings are trying to be realistic regarding money, Depay and Lacazette would be the 2 big signings. There may be better RBs and DMs out there but Janmaat and Imbula or Kondogbia would hopefully represent good value for money (like Emre Can)

sure, but Xavi is young, and he has a certain focus which I like... I say keep him, one for the future... it would also just be a waste for him to leave now when he's leaned so much at anfield already. perhaps just keep him for the entirity of the loan spell then decide if he makes the cut...

I agree with Skrtel may have liked the Armband and that could make him think hes not wanted/ held in high regard but thats not what Aldo suggested. He is suggesting purely not giving the it to him because he hasn't yet signed a new deal yet giving to another player in the same situation.

Basically i don't think that Aldo knew that Skrtle was in the same position contactually which makes his comment a little foolish.

More blah blahs from ex pro's... It's something of a problem when all these ex pro's keep trying to undermine the manager... If it ain't Aldo it's Nicol or Lawro....Tell me someone, with all this wisdom to offer, how come they aren't doing the job?....

From what I understand, Hendo is just about to sign his new contract...Nothing more than everyday football negotiations....Move on already, nothing to see here...

rogers consistently makes a rod for his own back...money and fame are no guarantee of knowledge or common sense,although his tenure he has engaged his mouth without consulting his brain and after 3 years he hasn't learnt he never will